Chiroptophobia | Fear of Bats

(kai-rop-toe-fo-be-ah)

What is Chiroptophobia?

Chiroptophobia is an abnormal and persistent fear of bats. Some concern about bats could be considered normal, as bats are nocturnal animals associated with primal fears of the unknown (darkness) and are known disease carriers. Bats are also linked to mythologies surrounding vampires and Halloween. The phobic, however, will fear bats even to the point of not going outside after dark.

The Greek root words 'cheir' means 'hand', and 'pteron' means 'wing', referring to 'chiroptera', the scientific name of the order describing bats. The word 'phobia' comes from the Greek word ‘phóbos’ meaning 'fear.'

Causes of Chiroptophobia

Chiroptophobia is a specific (or “isolated”) phobia, centered on non-social key factors. Isolated phobias tend to have some previous trauma (often in childhood and often physically injurious) as a root cause; a fear of bees may stem from an injury in childhood, for instance.

Upbringing can also play a role, such as parental warnings about a direct threat (such as “snakes can bite and kill you”) which is especially notable in cases where a threat is more imminent. (An allergy to bees or peanut butter, for instance, would naturally reinforce a real medical concern.)

It is thought that genetics and hereditary factors may play a role in specific phobias, especially those related to a danger of injury. (A primal “fight or flight” reflex may be more easily triggered in those with a genetic predisposition, for instance.)

By contrast, social phobias (like a fear of body odor or touch) are less well understood, are driven by social anxiety and are broadly labeled as “social anxiety disorder”.

In all kinds of phobias, external experiences and / or reports can further reinforce or develop the fear, such as seeing a family member or friend who is affected. In extreme cases, indirect exposures can be as remote as overhearing a reference in conversation, seeing something in the news, on TV, or in the movies.

Chiroptophobia, like most phobias, stems from a subconscious overprotection mechanism, and as with many phobias can also be rooted in an unresolved emotional conflict.

Direct experience with bats is not required for this phobia to form. In many cases, the fear of bats comes from misconceptions of bats. Bats are seen as ugly creatures with beady eyes and large leathery wings, though they are generally not dangerous to humans.

Some people fear bats due to rabies, though the rate of infection among bat populations if very low.

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